As a long-time fan of The Sopranos, I’ve always been fascinated by the intricate web of characters and their complexities. However, one aspect that often leaves me scratching my head is the portrayal of certain societal norms, particularly regarding family and weight issues.
25 years ago, “The Sopranos” made its debut on television, setting a new standard for crime dramas that still stands today. With compelling characters and gripping narratives, this HBO series continues to captivate audiences. Its superior quality is no coincidence; many of the storylines were written by some of the most talented writers in the industry, including David Chase, Matthew Weiner, and Terrence Winter, who are all renowned for their work. In 2013, the Writers Guild of America recognized “The Sopranos” as the best-written show ever produced.
Despite The Sopranos appearing as polished as ever, there are some elements that raise eyebrows, seem unnecessary or unsettling. These aspects, once tolerable when the show initially aired, now stand out more starkly. As our society evolves and TV quality advances, it’s time to scrutinize The Sopranos for certain transgressions. Although these allegations may not tarnish its crime drama image, the narrative would have been more appealing without such issues.
10 Bizarre LGBTQ Storylines
Among popular mafia-themed TV series, “The Sopranos” is unique in that it incorporates significant LGBTQ storylines, which sets it apart from others. However, the way the gay characters are portrayed can be criticized as overly harsh. One of Tony DiMeo’s top lieutenants, Vito Spatafore, keeps his sexuality hidden for a considerable period. He even gets married and has children. When a member from the Lupertazzi crime family spots him at a gay bar, Vito decides to go into hiding.
To Vito, the Mob Life Is Better than a Perfect Relationship
The prevalence of homophobia is alarming, and unfortunately, it often portrays victims as wrongdoers. However, Vito is a character who deserves sympathy and support. Unfortunately, the show portrays him in an unfavorable light, primarily due to his questionable actions.
While in hiding, Vito forms a bond with Jim, who is a cook at a diner. Jim develops strong feelings for Vito, but later, Vito leaves him behind to go back to New Jersey and rejoin the mob. On his journey, he has a fatal altercation with an unknown individual following a minor dispute. Back in his hometown, tragedy strikes and he meets a violent end.
9 Tony’s Plot Armor
The Sopranos challenges traditional gangster movie stereotypes by presenting a more authentic depiction of contemporary mob activities following the Gotti era. Unfortunately, Tony, similar to other main characters and anti-heroes in films, is shielded by a significant amount of plot protection. There’s only one real attempt on his life (which he manages to survive), and law enforcement appears less determined to apprehend him, but they relentlessly pursue everyone else with great tenacity.
Throughout the series, the head of the DiMeo crime family manages to avoid any formal hearings with the Senate and stays out of prison.
Is Tony Too Smart?
Critics among the fanbase might contend that Tony doesn’t rely on plot devices like invincibility or good fortune; instead, they claim he’s just exceptionally intelligent. However, is this truly the case? If Phil Leotardo can dismantle Tony’s operation so swiftly, one would expect the FBI to find it relatively easy to apprehend him. The fact that no one in the DiMeo crime family mounts a significant challenge to overthrow Tony seems even more questionable. After all, ousting the boss has been a standard tactic in organized crime since the 1920s. Yet, Tony consistently avoids such issues. Richie Aprille ponders the idea but never truly follows through with the plan.
8 The Blatant Racism
Generally speaking, “The Sopranos” provides an intriguing exploration of the destructive influence of greed, with a darkly humorous twist on the common theme of quick wealth accumulation. However, it sometimes veers off course by portraying certain characters as racially intolerant, such as when Tony, the main character, reacts irrationally upon meeting his daughter Meadow’s boyfriend Noah, who is black.
When Meadow briefly goes to her room, Tony shamelessly orders Noah to draft a breakup speech.
“Upon your little girl descending the stairs, please greet us both with a comment on how pleasant our meeting was. After that, take her to school, and finally bid farewell.”
Tony Goes Full KKK
David Chase skillfully elicits outstanding acting from both Patrick Tully and James Gandolfini in this particular scene. Tully, in particular, shines as his character evolves from a nervous bystander into a determined teenager, prepared to challenge prejudice head-on with unwavering resolve.
In a rather unusual turn of events, he responds to his girlfriend’s father with an insult, but his response, despite being harsh, seems more restrained compared to the verbal attacks Tony hurls at him. The mob boss labels him as coal briquette, mulligan, and foolish, which is quite unexpected from one of television’s most iconic characters. It’s surprising that such language was used by a beloved TV character 25 years ago, yet it caused no uproar at the time. The show also features another controversial plot involving Tony’s men attempting to disrupt a Native American protest.
7 Many Unresolved Storylines
What happened to the rapper Massive Genius (Bokeem Woodbine)? Despite the show appearing to have no loose ends, it actually does. One of the most intriguing mysteries arises from one of the most impactful episodes titled “Pine Barrens.” In this episode, Christopher and Paulie believe they’ve killed a Russian mobster named Valery, but when they go to bury his body in the New Jersey Pine Barrens, he manages to escape. The chase concludes without resolution, and Valery is never seen or heard from again.
The Guessing Game Continues
In a perfect world, the plotlines of every crime drama would be neatly tied up, but that doesn’t give us license to overlook mistakes. Just as every well-crafted novel should have no loose ends, viewers are curious about what became of Furio after he left for Italy following his romantic entanglement with Tony’s wife, Carmella. Did they eventually find him and end his life or did he decide to break the code of silence before entering witness protection? Only David Chase holds that secret.
6 Gender-Based Violence
In this television series, several main characters exhibit violent behavior towards women. For instance, Tony has a physical altercation with Carmela during their pre-split argument, forcing her against a wall. Similarly, Christopher physically harms Adriana, and Ralph brutally kills his girlfriend Tracee in broad daylight. Tony’s sister, Janice, is assaulted by her lover Richie Aprille, but she defends herself powerfully by shooting him in response.
There’s Rarely Any Punishment
It’s unfortunate that few, if any, repercussions followed these incidents throughout the series. Characters often faced consequences for minor offenses, but those responsible for more serious crimes like murder seemed to escape punishment. For instance, Ralph faces consequences for his disrespect towards Tony and other mobsters, but not for killing Tracee. Similarly, Christopher doesn’t bear any repercussions for mistreating Adriana, while she is the one who suffers for speaking with authorities, despite not being the initial informant.
5 Little to No Female Empowerment
In its portrayal of women during the 21st century, the crime drama The Sopranos had an opportunity to give more power and depth to its female characters. Out of all the women in the series, only Dr. Jennifer Melfi consistently maintains a strong professional standing. Characters like Agent Deborah Ciccerone who hold significant jobs have limited screen time. The majority of the female characters are confined to roles as mob wives.
A Missed Opportunity
Female crime leaders can make captivating characters, as demonstrated by series like Griselda, All the Queen’s Men, and Queen of the South. Consequently, it could have been even more compelling if the HBO drama had included strong female figures. Unfortunately, Annalisa Zucca, a Camorra boss whom Tony encounters in Naples, who had potential to significantly influence the storyline, was only briefly introduced and then disappeared after just four scenes.
4 Where Is Bobby in Season 1?
In the series, Bobby Baccala, known for his kindness among mobsters, derives more joy from being a personal aid to Junior than engaging in criminal activities. He debuts in Season 2 as a pivotal figure in Junior’s crew and later ascends to become one of the DiMeo crime family’s top officials. However, the show doesn’t provide an answer for his absence during Season 1, which seems unusual given Junior’s reliance on him.
A Simple Behind-the-Scenes Answer
Concerning Bobby’s missing presence, here’s a straightforward explanation: Steve Schirripa hadn’t been chosen to play the role at that point, which is why his absence wasn’t addressed explicitly. The producers, unaware of the need for such a character, could have provided a more satisfactory explanation in the plot. However, it’s worth noting that the show has effectively explained the absences of characters like Richie Aprile and Ralph by providing detailed narratives. Similarly, the reason behind Big Pussy’s temporary absence from the screen is thoroughly explained within the series itself.
3 The Minor Continuity Errors
The critically praised HBO drama appears to have been carefully crafted and flawlessly assembled. Its strategic employment of diverse camera angles, meditative shots, and intricate storytelling techniques have made it a blueprint for future showrunners. Yet, upon closer inspection, some continuity inconsistencies become apparent, demonstrating that David Chase and his crew are indeed human.
No One Noticed That?
The television series often encounters inconsistencies in its visual aspects, with only a few instances affecting the narrative flow.
In the Bada Bing, as Gigi converses with Tony, a pile of money mysteriously materializes and vanishes nearby. Meanwhile, during Tony’s conversations with Agent Harris at Satriale’s Pork Store, his Escalade, visible through the window, seems to appear and vanish intermittently. This phenomenon is also observed when Tony visits Valentina at the hospital, as the magazine she reads mysteriously shows up and disappears. Similarly, the bloodstain on Tony’s vest after his altercation with Bobby appears and disappears.
2 Mob Traditions Aren’t Adhered To
Members of the Cosa Nostra adhere to a specific set of rules and customs. However, it seems many characters, such as Dominic Toretto, often disregard these norms. For instance, while they repeatedly stress that family is paramount, characters like Paulie, a notable mobster, are single and childless even in his 50s. Remarkably, he doesn’t seem to have a wife or partner, which is unusual within their culture.
In Season 6, it’s disclosed that Bobby didn’t kill anyone, which leaves audiences pondering how he earned his status as a Made Man initially. Furthermore, it’s common for mafia members to turn informant. Lastly, there’s the intriguing twist of Furio developing feelings for his boss’ wife.
Rebellion Without Consequences
In the ’90s and 2000s, it seems that many members of the Cosa Nostra often defy authority without facing repercussions. This could be attributed to the character of the modern-day Cosa Nostra gangsters, who tend to challenge established norms. It’s a pattern commonly observed among newer generations.
As a cinephile, I can see the logic in Silvio pushing Paulie towards marriage, emphasizing that his single status might be fueling the perception of their crew as just a glamorized gang. Similarly, it seems reasonable for Bobby to not be a Made Guy because he hasn’t earned the necessary street credentials yet, or “made his bones.”
1 Plenty of Body-Shaming
Weight is a major issue in the show, and like racism, it isn’t handled well. “Oh, look at that! It’s like an ad for a weight loss center. Before, and way before!” Paulie says after spotting Bobby and Vito standing beside each other at the Bada Bing. Tony also tells Bobby to stop leaning on his car because he might accidentally flip it over. The most insensitive remark comes from Ralph, who jokes that Johnny Sack’s wife, Ginny Sacrimoni had a 90 lb mole removed from her rectum.
There Are Better Ways to Address the Weight Issue
In other words, the show “The Sopranos” might have gained more from showing a bit more sensitivity towards sensitive topics such as weight issues. Instead of using methods like having Ginny secretly eat candies when Tony isn’t around, which can be seen as problematic, they could have opted for more positive approaches. For instance, in the Season 6 premiere “Members Only,” Vito’s significant weight loss and subsequent appearance in a weight-loss commercial presented a healthier message compared to the questionable method used with Ginny’s candy consumption.
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2024-08-18 05:02